Jackson County Alabama Fairgrounds Events

The Jackson County Fairgrounds in Scottsboro, Alabama, run on a different model than most county fairs. The Fair Association is made up of members of American Legion Post 30 and VFW Post 6073 and their auxiliaries, not a county agency or an extension-run board. The volunteers who run the fair and the veterans’ posts that own the grounds are the same people, and the money raised goes back into education and veteran support in Jackson County. Hence the official name, Jackson County Veterans Fairgrounds.

Overview of Jackson County Fairgrounds

Where the fairgrounds are

The grounds are at 220 Cecil Street, Scottsboro, AL 35768. An earlier fair listing also gave the address as 1616 Heroes Drive, and Heroes Drive does run behind the Exhibit Building near the Veterans Hall. Use Cecil Street in your GPS. Event listings sometimes call the place “VFW Fairgrounds,” which is the same location.

The mailing address is different: Jackson County Fair Association, PO Box 1337, Scottsboro, AL 35768-1337. Entry fees and vendor payments sent by mail go there, not to the Cecil Street gate.

Who runs it

The Jackson County Fair Association was incorporated in 1949 to sponsor a Spring Carnival and a Fall Agricultural Fair each year. The Joint Building and Grounds Committee of the two veterans’ posts handles rentals of the grounds and the Post Hall. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office and the Scottsboro Police Department provide security, with help from the Sheriff’s Reserve Unit.

Size and layout

I couldn’t find a published acreage figure. [Verify locally] The grounds include an Exhibit Building, a Commercial Building, a concession stand, the Post and Veterans Hall, and a cattle barn known as the Ol’ Red Cattle Barn. The midway runs inside the gated area with numbered entry and exit gates, covered below.

Why it matters locally

The fair does two jobs. It’s the one week a year when a home baker, a quilter, a hobby photographer or a woodworker can put work in front of the whole county. It’s also the main fundraiser for the veterans’ posts that own the property. People who come for the rides are helping pay for the community programs the posts run.

Upcoming Events at Jackson County Fairgrounds

The two annual fairs

The Fair Association hosts two events a year:

• Spring Carnival. The 2026 edition ran May 27–30.
• Fall Agricultural Fair. The 90th annual fair ran Tuesday, August 25 through Saturday, August 29, 2026, with the theme “Red, White & Blue – Celebrating 250 Years.”

The fall fair is the bigger event, with competitive exhibits, a cattle show and a scarecrow contest alongside the rides.

When to expect 2027 dates

The 2027 spring carnival would normally land in late May and the 91st fall fair in late summer. The fall fair has moved around: September 12–16 in 2023, September 10–14 in 2024, and late August in 2026. Don’t plan around a guess. The association’s website, jacksoncountyalfair.com, updates its banner when dates are set, and the Facebook page (Jackson County Fair Association – Alabama) carries announcements too. Phone: (256) 587-5750.

Other events on the grounds

The Art Society of Jackson County has listed a Christmas Market at the Jackson County Fairgrounds, though the listing gave only “Dec.” with no day. In 2025 the same market was listed at a Cedar Hill Drive address in Scottsboro, so confirm the location with the organizers. [Verify locally]

The posts rent the grounds to outside groups, which is where most non-fair events come from. I didn’t find a published event calendar for gun shows, flea markets, rodeos or motocross at this site, so I’m not listing any. Ask the rental committee or check the posts’ social pages.

Seasonal pattern

Late spring and late summer or early fall are the fair weeks. Between them the grounds are used for private rentals and occasional community events.

Jackson County Alabama Fairgrounds Events offer visitors opportunities to enjoy community fairs, agricultural exhibitions, livestock shows, seasonal festivals, and family-friendly entertainment that celebrate local traditions. Similarly, Houston County Alabama Fairgrounds Events provide enjoyable experiences featuring community gatherings, local vendors, and activities for visitors of all ages. Exploring fairground events in both counties allows visitors to discover Alabama’s diverse community celebrations, appreciate its agricultural heritage, and enjoy memorable outings while supporting local businesses and strengthening connections with neighboring communities.

The Jackson County Fair Itself

Fall Agricultural Fair basics

It’s an evening fair. In 2026, gates ran about 5:30–9:00 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday, 5:30–11:00 p.m. Friday and 4:00–11:00 p.m. Saturday. Rides ran from 6:00 p.m. on weeknights, running until about midnight on Friday and Saturday. The association notes that these times aren’t guaranteed. Lightning, high wind or low attendance can change them, and rides shut down for storms with no refunds.

The Exhibit Building opens and closes with the gates. The Commercial Building opens with the gates and closes at 9:30 p.m.

Competitive exhibits

Individual entries are free, with premium awards for first, second and third place. Entries must be the entrant’s own work. Divisions are open to residents of Jackson County, surrounding counties and neighboring states. Both youth and adult classes are offered in:

• Hay and forage grasses, garden crops and honey
• Food preservation (canning)
• Baked goods, including two classes for professionals who decorate
• Needlework and quilting
• Handicrafts
• Woodworking
• Art, arts and crafts and amateur photography
• Flower show
• Scarecrow competition (pre-registration required)
• Feature exhibit booths (pre-registration required)

For 2026, exhibits were accepted at the fairgrounds Friday, August 21 from 2:00–6:00 p.m. and Saturday, August 22 from 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. A downloadable fair catalog (the premium book) is posted on the Fall Fair page each year.

Livestock

The fair runs an Open Youth Beef Livestock Show, and in 2024 it was held on Saturday night at the Ol’ Red Cattle Barn. For 2026, registration was required by Saturday, August 22, through an online form, with questions going to [email protected]. The fall fair page also linked a Chick Chain flyer with an Auburn University contact. I found no published rabbit, goat, swine or dairy classes. [Verify locally]

Midway and entertainment

A traveling carnival provides the rides. I couldn’t find the company name, ride count or wristband pricing. [Verify locally] Local coverage of the 2024 fair described nightly entertainment, local vendors, contests, games, food, a petting zoo and farm animal exhibits.

Admission

The Fair Association discounts cash:

• $5 cash at Gates 4–6 (ages 6 and up)
• $5.25 card at Gate 7 (card only, includes a processing fee)
• Free: ages 5 and under, anyone who served in the military (with ID), first responders (with ID), and wheelchair users with one companion

Admission gates are entry only. Re-entry the same day requires a re-entry ticket from an exit gate attendant, and the ticket color changes daily. Ride ticket or wristband prices weren’t posted. [Verify locally] I found no season pass.

Facilities and Grounds

Buildings and barns

• Exhibit Building: holds the competitive exhibits, near the Veterans Hall
• Commercial Building: vendor booths
• Ol’ Red Cattle Barn: cattle show venue
• Post and Veterans Hall: available for rental
• Concession stand: doubles as lost and found

I found no published grandstand or seating capacity, and no stall rental procedure. [Verify locally]

Gates and exits

Entry gates are numbered 4 through 7. Two exit gates handle departures: Gate 2 on Heroes Drive behind the Exhibit Building, and Gate 8 on Cecil Street south of the concession stand. Both are monitored.

Camping, RVs and accessibility

I found no camping or RV hookups on the grounds. On accessibility, wheelchair users and one companion get free admission, and motorized scooters for guests with disabilities are allowed. Pavement, ADA parking and restroom details weren’t published.

Parking

The association references “nearby properties, parking lots, and streets” in its security notice but doesn’t list a parking capacity, fee or overflow lot.

Fairground Rules Worth Knowing Before You Go

• No pets. Only ADA-recognized service animals are allowed.
• No weapons of any kind, concealed or permitted. Only law enforcement and members in good standing of the two posts may carry.
• No bikes, rollerblades, skateboards or hoverboards.
• Family-friendly apparel. The association has final say on what counts as offensive.

Vendor and Exhibitor Information

Commercial vendor booths

Booths are limited and sold for the Fall Agricultural Fair. For 2026:

• Single 8-foot space: $75
• Two adjoining spaces: $125
• Covers all five nights (Tuesday–Saturday), with two free gate passes
• Floor space only. The association does not rent tables, chairs or partitions.

Apply through the online form on the Commercial Vendor Rentals page. You can pay by credit card (3% fee) or mail a check or money order to the PO Box. In 2026 payment was due August 18, and mail needs at least seven business days. Vendor spaces will not be available at the 2027 Spring Carnival. Contact: [email protected] or (256) 587-5750.

Entering exhibits

Entries are free and accepted the Friday afternoon and Saturday morning before fair week. The scarecrow contest and feature exhibit booths need pre-registration through online forms. The catalog lists every class and rule, so read it before you bake or build anything.

Fair office

• Phone: (256) 587-5750
• Mail: JCFA, PO Box 1337, Scottsboro, AL 35768-1337
• General email: [email protected]
• Secretary-treasurer (from 2024 coverage): [email protected] [Verify locally]

Getting to Jackson County Fairgrounds

Scottsboro is the Jackson County seat, so the grounds are in town, not out in the country. I didn’t verify turn-by-turn directions, and a GPS set to 220 Cecil Street will beat anything I could write from a distance. Allow extra time on Friday and Saturday nights. I found no shuttle or public transit service for fair week, and no posted rideshare drop-off point.

4-H and FFA at Jackson County Fairgrounds

The fair’s youth side is the Open Youth Beef Livestock Show plus the youth divisions in the exhibit classes. The Chick Chain flyer on the fall fair page links to an Auburn University email, which suggests Alabama Cooperative Extension involvement, but I can’t confirm how the extension office coordinates with the fair. I found no 4-H club count for the county, no list of participating FFA chapters, and no junior livestock auction with proceeds details. The Jackson County Extension office is the best source.

History of Jackson County Fairgrounds

The association was incorporated in 1949. The 2026 fair was billed as the 90th annual fall fair, which counts back to 1937. The 87th fair in 2023 fits that numbering. The fair moved from a 1930s agricultural exhibition into one run by veterans’ posts, and the posts still own the land.

I found no documentation of record attendance, notable visitors or cancellations, including during the pandemic. The posts or longtime members would be the people to ask.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the Jackson County Fair in 2027?

The 2027 dates had not been announced as of October 11, 2026. The 2026 Spring Carnival ran May 27–30 and the 90th Fall Agricultural Fair ran August 25–29. Check jacksoncountyalfair.com or the Fair Association’s Facebook page.

What time does Jackson County Fairgrounds open?

During the 2026 fall fair, gates opened at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 4:00 p.m. Saturday. Rides started at 6:00 p.m. on weeknights and 4:30 p.m. Saturday. Times may change with weather.

Is there camping at Jackson County Fairgrounds?

No camping or RV hookups are advertised. Ask the fair office at (256) 587-5750 before planning to camp.

How do I enter livestock in the Jackson County Fair?

The fair’s livestock event is the Open Youth Beef Livestock Show. Register through the online form on the Fall Fair page; in 2026 the deadline was August 22. Questions go to [email protected].

Are dogs allowed at Jackson County Fairgrounds?

No. Pets are not allowed. Only service animals recognized by the ADA are permitted.

Where do I park at Jackson County Fairgrounds?

No parking map or fee is published. Plan for nearby lots and streets, and watch for Sheriff’s Office and Scottsboro Police direction on fair nights.

Who do I contact to rent Jackson County Fairgrounds?

The Joint Building and Grounds Committee of American Legion Post 30 and VFW Post 6073 handles rentals. Contact Bill Butler at the number on the Site Rentals page. An application and deposit are due at least one month ahead, and rates depend on what you use. The listed number has a 315 area code, so confirm it.

How much does it cost to get into the Jackson County Fair?

In 2026, admission was $5 cash at Gates 4–6 and $5.25 by card at Gate 7. Children 5 and under, military veterans with ID, first responders with ID, and wheelchair users with one companion get in free.

Can I bring a bike, skateboard or weapon?

No. Bikes, skateboards, rollerblades, hoverboards and weapons are all banned. Only law enforcement and members of the two posts may carry on the grounds.

How do I become a vendor?

Apply through the online form on the Commercial Vendor Rentals page. Spaces are $75 for 8 feet or $125 for two, floor space only, and the Spring Carnival does not take vendors.